The best part about living in Southern California is the combination of riches that are living near the beach, hours from the mountains and deserts, and the perfect year-round weather. These factors all contribute to why California, and Southern California especially, is a magical place to be.
If you take into consideration the world-class educational system, top amusement parks and attractions, and the innovation of industry in the area, there’s simply no place like Southern California. These are some reasons why so many people flock to Southern California for vacations, business conferences, and retreats. So whether you’re from out of town or a local looking for a getaway, there’s so much to do in Southern California – why would you consider anywhere else?
Some Top Beach Cities To Visit
Of course, there are plenty of family attractions throughout the area, from Disneyland to Magic Mountain, Legoland to Seaworld. Still, for the adult vacationer looking for a pleasant, relaxing stay at the beach, our list of the top beach cities is perfect for locals and out-of-towners. Even better, there are plenty of places to shop for women’s resort wear before you head to the beach, for dinner, or for a night on the town.
If you’re looking for something that defines the Southern California lifestyle, it’s hard not to think about the beaches immediately. But, of course, in close proximity to many of these beaches are destinations and attractions for you and the entire family.
Newport Beach
Just west of Santa Ana is the city of Newport Beach. One of the most expensive real estate in all of Southern California, Newport Beach offers plenty of shopping for your resort stay at nearby Treasure Island and plenty of people watching at the Wedge, the famous body-surfing spot with waves that can reach over 10 feet!
Huntington Beach
Any discussion of the beaches in SoCal has to include Surf City, USA! Huntington Beach is the original surf town and still boasts the annual US Open of Surfing, one of the most prestigious surfing events of the year.
Laguna Beach
The hidden gem of Southern California beaches, this sleepy small town has some of the most iconic vistas for its resorts anywhere. So come for the day and shop among the galleries, eclectic boutiques, and specialty shops.
Santa Monica
Spend the day at the beach, eat at award-winning restaurants, and check out the oldest Ferris Wheel on the west coast on the Santa Monica Pier.
Del Mar
A little south of Orange County is the sleepy little beach town of Del Mar, home of the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack. You can catch all the little hamlets that dot the coast from Del Mar or a quick 20 minutes south to be in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego.
La Jolla
La Jolla provides a relaxing paradise that includes a day of swimming at La Jolla Cove, watching the seals at the famous Kiddie Pool, and rodeo drive-inspired shopping along Girard Street.
Coronado
Just across the bay from downtown San Diego is the tiny vacation town of Coronado, with the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado perched right on the expansive sandy beach. You can take the Ferry to Historic Gaslamp Quarter from Coronado, catch a Padre’s baseball game, the famous San Diego ComiCon, and eat at numerous award-winning restaurants.
Of course, heading to a destination like any of these requires you to look good while you’re at it. Staying at a beach-side resort like the Loew’s in Santa Monica or Coronado or at The Ranch in Laguna Beach, you’ll want to indulge in all the spa has to offer but also want to have the perfect outfit for the location. So shop early, get the ideal resort attire, and spend your time in elegant splendor.
In the Hotel Del Coronado, many boutiques specialize in women’s resort wear, or you can head out to Fashion Valley and pick up some resort wear for your trip.
Wherever you are and whatever you plan to do, there are plenty of ways to pick up the correct type of resort wear to suit your needs. In fact, staying at any resort in the area is close proximity to some unique shopping, so take advantage of your trip and get some outstanding clothing and accessories to reminisce about your stay at the beach.
California is a great place to live, work, and visit. It’s also about to become the world’s 4th largest economy, adding even more reasons to live, work, and play in the Golden State.
If you’re new to the area or looking for a staycation, some of the beach cities on our list have the amenities you want, the beach to relax you, and is close enough to all the other major SoCal attractions that they are perfect for adults and kids alike.